Intervention research is replete with examples of finely crafted innovations showing initial efficacy in tightly controlled experimental contexts only to fail when they are implemented in typical use settings. While the reasons for such failures are broad, implementation science shows a targeted and judicious use of appropriate competency drivers,…

This document provides information about the process a school-level team will use to complete the Predictor Implementation School/District Self-Assessment (PISA) (ED629041). This process involves four major steps including (1) identifying team members, (2) establishing a location and time for the meeting, (3) preparing for the meeting, and (4)…

The transition from school to adulthood is a pivotal time in the lives of all students. For a student with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), change of any kind can be challenging, and a transition as momentous as this can seem especially daunting. Thoughtful planning, sound information, and open communication will help parents support young adults…

Twenty-nine recommendations were compiled from ideas generated by participants at the National Conference on Self- Determination, which was called by the United States Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, with over half the participants having disabilities of some kind. The participants came with different perspectives, but…

This article describes the development and structure of a self-advocacy training program, the Self-Advocacy Leadership Training Institute, to help individuals with disabilities to exercise choice in vocational rehabilitation services and in other areas of life. A pilot program and two institutes were conducted, resulting in the training of 36…

This guide is designed to help individual teachers as they plan for and implement student-led Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students with disabilities. It presents activities for helping secondary students develop and participate in their IEPs. The first part of the guide is organized around the following five stages for involving…

This article explores ways to include self-determination and self-advocacy goals and objectives in individualized education programs (IEPs). It identifies self-determination goals and offers guidelines on selection and writing of self-determination goals. Insets and tables include a review of the literature, definitions of self-determination…

Historical background is presented on the self-advocacy movement for individuals with intellectual disabilities in Australia and the United States. Problems in the establishment and maintenance of advocacy programs are identified, and suggestions are made for ensuring the growth and vitality of the self-advocacy movement in Australia. (MSE)

Opinions of professionals from 16 agencies were obtained to identify techniques that agencies serving adults or adolescents with mental retardation could utilize to provide systematic sex education and counseling. Recommendations are offered in five areas: self-advocacy and self-determination, individual design, staff training and support,…

This final report describes the activities of Project LEEDS (Leadership Education to Empower Disabled Students), a federally supported project designed to create student/staff teams from colleges and universities to encourage undergraduate/graduate students with disabilities to become leaders, through development of self-identity and identity with…

This resource guide looks at five areas in which freedom of choice can be increased for people with developmental disabilities: assessing needs, planning for services, evaluating services, understanding the service system, and self-advocacy. Needs are assessed through home interviews, personal updates, neighborhood surveys, evaluation of likes and…

Specific self-determination skills have been identified as being related to the successful transition of students with learning disabilities to postsecondary education. This study developed and validated a model program which was effective in teaching secondary students the self-determination skills of self-advocacy and self-awareness. (DB)

Assessment of students with disabilities is addressed in the context of career development, vocational education, and transition. Assessment is viewed as humanistic, therapeutic, holistic, and leading to self-determination and self-advocacy. Profiling, a process of linking a database of aptitude, skills, abilities, and instructional methodology,…